do i need a skimmer?

[hayley2684]

I am new to this. i've had fish in my tank now for 4 days. i want to know if i need a skimmer if i'm going to keep corals. i have an aqua one 2200 canister filter at the moment and i put a product in it called biozorb which is supposed to remover all chemicals and stuff. Is this and regular water changes enough if i want to keep corals? or do i need a protein skimmer?

 

[reefnetworth]

yes, if you want corals it will make a big diff. 35 kilos of LR will not be enough bio-filter. 4-6" LS + 1.5 pounds per gallon min. LR if you rely on biological filtration. REEF-ON!!!

 

[hayley2684]

My LFS guy has told me that a newbie such as myself can run into alot of problems with a deep live sand bed. so at the moment i just have a thin layer of crushed coral sand. do you think that i should take the plunge and do a deep sand bed? what sort of problems can a deep sand bed cause?

 

[Serioussnaps]

Alright, before you get corals you need to spend alot of time researching and reading. Look at Eric Bornemans books and books by Anthony Calfo. Also, read all over reef central on everything you can get your hands on. I would keep fish only for a year or so before you go reef. This gives you time to become informed and also to get money and the equipment you will need.
And one of these pieces of equipment is a good skimmer and i mean good. Dont skimp. YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED A PROTEIN SKIMMER. There are people that will tell you you dont, but you do. I am not in skimmer sales, I just know from experience it is one of the most important pieces you can have if not the most important.

Look into ASM G series, Euroreef, and many others that are highly expensive. I say ASM is not cheap, but great skimmer and still affordable. Skimmers are great even if you only have a fish only tank, but if you go reef you must get one.

 

[Serioussnaps]

Do yourself a favor to and get lot of live rock like at minimum a pound per gallon if not more.